Acupuncture Services
FAQs
Acupuncture Services
FAQs
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been practiced in both humans and animals for thousands of years in China and has since become part of the mainstream veterinary medical system in China. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body in order to cause a therapeutic effect.
How is acupuncture effective?
Modern research shows that acupuncture points (also called acupoints) are located in areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles and lymphatic vessels. Stimulation of acupoints induces the release of beta-endorphins, serotonin and other neurotransmitters which cause changes and healing around the body. Each acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated. Combinations of points are often stimulated to take advantage of synergistic reactions between them. Which acupuncture points are stimulated, the depth of needle insertion, the type of stimulation applied to the needles, and the duration of each treatment session depends on the patient’s tolerance, the practitioner’s assessment of the patient, and the condition being treated.
What conditions can it help treat in my pet?
In veterinary medicine, there is evidence of the success of acupuncture for treating disorders of the reproductive, musculoskeletal, neurologic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and dermatologic systems. The most common conditions that are treated include:
I have a competition animal. How can acupuncture help me?
Acupuncture can be very effective as a preventative medicine and performance enhancement in sporting/competition animals.
My pet needs surgery. Can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture stimulates healing of some conditions and provides effective pain relief in others. If properly applied, it may eliminate the need for surgery in certain conditions. Following surgery, it can improve the patients’ comfort level and speed up the postoperative recovery period. In some cases, it may reduce or eliminate the need for chronic medication.
How soon can we expect results? How many treatments are needed?
The success of the treatment of chronic conditions will vary according the disorder being treated and the number and frequency of acupuncture treatments. The earlier in the course of disease that acupuncture is started and the more numerous and frequent the treatments, the better the response tends to be.
With acupuncture, some results can be seen immediately but others will require several treatments. Generally, a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments 1-3 weeks apart for chronic conditions are needed before one can expect notable improvement.
Chinese medicine is focused on the individual and the treatments recommended are based on the current state of your pet. Therefore, acupuncture prescriptions may change with time and need to be modified based on your pet’s progress.
Acupuncture has been practiced in both humans and animals for thousands of years in China and has since become part of the mainstream veterinary medical system in China. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body in order to cause a therapeutic effect.
How is acupuncture effective?
Modern research shows that acupuncture points (also called acupoints) are located in areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles and lymphatic vessels. Stimulation of acupoints induces the release of beta-endorphins, serotonin and other neurotransmitters which cause changes and healing around the body. Each acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated. Combinations of points are often stimulated to take advantage of synergistic reactions between them. Which acupuncture points are stimulated, the depth of needle insertion, the type of stimulation applied to the needles, and the duration of each treatment session depends on the patient’s tolerance, the practitioner’s assessment of the patient, and the condition being treated.
What conditions can it help treat in my pet?
In veterinary medicine, there is evidence of the success of acupuncture for treating disorders of the reproductive, musculoskeletal, neurologic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and dermatologic systems. The most common conditions that are treated include:
- traumatic nerve injuries
- intervertebral disk disease
- degenerative myelopathy
- epilepsy and other central nervous system disorders
- asthma
- allergic dermatitis
- lick granulomas
- chronic pain such as that caused by degenerative joint disease
- gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and megacolon
- chronic conditions such as autoimmune disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, behavioral problems, anxiety, Cushing’s disease, geriatric weakness and support of cancer patients.
I have a competition animal. How can acupuncture help me?
Acupuncture can be very effective as a preventative medicine and performance enhancement in sporting/competition animals.
My pet needs surgery. Can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture stimulates healing of some conditions and provides effective pain relief in others. If properly applied, it may eliminate the need for surgery in certain conditions. Following surgery, it can improve the patients’ comfort level and speed up the postoperative recovery period. In some cases, it may reduce or eliminate the need for chronic medication.
How soon can we expect results? How many treatments are needed?
The success of the treatment of chronic conditions will vary according the disorder being treated and the number and frequency of acupuncture treatments. The earlier in the course of disease that acupuncture is started and the more numerous and frequent the treatments, the better the response tends to be.
With acupuncture, some results can be seen immediately but others will require several treatments. Generally, a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments 1-3 weeks apart for chronic conditions are needed before one can expect notable improvement.
Chinese medicine is focused on the individual and the treatments recommended are based on the current state of your pet. Therefore, acupuncture prescriptions may change with time and need to be modified based on your pet’s progress.